RMWB holding Show and Shine Event for National Public Works Week

You’re invited to a Show and Shine event as part of the fourth annual National Public Works Week.

The theme this year – ‘Public Works Connects Us’, showcases the vital role the RMWB’s Public Works and Transit Services Department plays in our community.

Director for Public Works and Transit Robert Billard lists the many responsibilities of his department.

“Our branches are involved with road maintenance, park maintenance, obviously transit services, as well as waste water treatment, underground services, solid waste services, and maintaining all of our facilities in the municipality.

Public Works has organized the special event to celebrate the department’s achievements in the last year.

Billard says his staff was recognized for recovery efforts after the 2016 wildfire.

“I believe our staff really appreciated the recognition,” Billard said. “It went a long way, along with the recent May 3 event that took place. Those two things really gave closure to the staff associated with the wildfire event.”

It’s also a chance to show off some of their tools.

They will be showcasing maintenance equipment, from snow plows, recycling and refuse trucks, buses, loaders, graders, sweepers, all the way to firetrucks.

They will also be sharing information and giving kids a chance to see what it’s like to be in the seat of these powerful machines.

Billard adds it’s an opportunity to shine a light on what they do.

“It’s only once we close a road, or have a water outage that everybody realizes how critical that work is.” Billard said. “This is an opportunity to provide that education and information on exactly what we do. I always say it’s the backbone of our community.”

National Public Works Week runs from May 21 to the 27.

The Show and Shine event takes place on May 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the South Operations Centre.